The effect of a web-based intervention on perinatal emotional wellbeing and coping: A nested case-control study

Background

WazzUp Mama© is a remotely delivered web-based tailored intervention to prevent and reduce perinatal emotional distress. The intervention has a self-help character and generates personalized feedback.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of the WazzUp Mama© intervention in a perinatal population, comparing exposure and non-exposure.

Methods

We performed a 1:3 nested case-control study including 376 participants (94 cases/282 controls), matched on core maternal characteristics. Cases received the intervention WazzUp Mama© while controls did not. The two groups were compared for depression, anxiety, and coping style/strategy mean scores, for positive Whooley items and heightened depression and anxiety scores.

Results

The number of positive Whooley items, the above cut-off depression scores, depression, and anxiety mean scores showed statistically significant differences, in favor of the intervention group. Problem-focused, emotion-focused, and passive and active coping, using informational support, positive reframing, planning, acceptance, seeking emotional support, venting, self-blaming showed statistically significant differences in favor of the intervention group. Adjusting for covariates, the statistically significant differences between cases and controls remained for all emotional wellbeing scores and for emotion-focused- and avoidant coping, seeking emotional support, venting, acceptance, and self-blame in favor of the intervention group. A history of perinatal psychological problems showed to be a confounding factor.

Conclusion

WazzUp Mama© indicates to have a significant large positive effect in optimizing perinatal emotional wellbeing, and a significant small effect on coping styles and strategies. Those who received the intervention showed a significantly lower incidence of low mood and loss of interest or pleasure, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and maladaptive coping, and significantly higher levels of adaptive coping compared with the control group.